Jeremy O’Toole
LINCHPIN

In order to remain relevant, anarchists should strive for our theory to be a culmination of teachings from individuals and communities in struggle and revolt against capitalism and domination. Black anarchism is a term used to describe the contributions made by black revolutionaries to anarchist thought and towards a movement that is tailored to their own experience.

One such revolutionary is Lorenzo Komboa Ervin. Born in Tennessee, his political activity began at age 12 as a member of the NAACP, participating in sit ins and rallies. As the political and social atmosphere became more volatile in the US and around the world, Ervin was radicalized as a part of the movements of the 60’s and 70’s, becoming a member of the Black Panther Party after being drafted to fight in Vietnam. Out of these movements grew a number of Black anarchists, many gravitating toward anarchism while incarcerated for their political activities. In 1969 Ervin was accused of plotting to assassinate a KKK leader and was finally apprehended following an international manhunt, during which he sought refuge in Cuba and East Germany.

On the run, Ervin became disillusioned with state socialism after witnessing how these ideas were implemented in the countries he fled to. This lead him to write Anarchism and the Black Revolution while in prison, writing, “Even though there are governments that claim to be ‘workers states,’ ‘Socialist countries’ or so-called ‘revolutionary governments,’ in essence they all have the same function: dictatorship and oppression of the many over the few.”

Aside from being a basic introduction to class struggle anarchism, his writings also outline some of the foundation for Black anarchist ideas in North America. Some of these ideas were met with controversy, particularly his proposals regarding Black nationalism and intercommunalism. Ervin emphasized organizing as a Black nation and put forth intercommunalism, which he describes as the need for “world relations between African people and their revolutionary social movements, instead of their governments and heads of state.” This view is rejected by some anarchists, who see it as too nationalistic.

Ervin has been involved with organizations like the IWW and Love & Rage since being released from prison in 1983. Today, he remains active in a number of projects around prisoners and anti-racist community organizing, and continues to write and do speaking engagements.

More info on Lorenzo and Black anarchism: http://illvox.org or http://lemming.mahost.org/abr/

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